Ballston Spa mother finds silver lining in son’s illness

Photo provided
The hands of Ballston Spa’s Kelly Rychcik frame photographs of her son Nick, who is battling desmoplastic small cell sarcoma and is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Albany Medical Center.

Her son Nick, 8, was diagnosed in September with desmoplastic small round cell, a malignant tumor occurring in the tissues of the abdomen. It is a childhood cancer, most commonly seen in young boys.

But Rychcik’s faith is strong, and she is using this trial to bring some good in other peoples’ lives.

Through her son’s cancer treatment at Albany Medical Center Hospital, she’s met other mothers with children who are ill and who are struggling both financially and emotionally.

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“I met this one little guy this past weekend, who’s mother has six other children,” Rychcik said. “He was playing Legos with my son and I thought how sad it was that he didn’t have any toys of his own. Sometimes, it’s the little things that gets somebody through a trial like this.”

At this point she’s not sure how to go about helping, but knows for sure she will be bringing toys for hospitalized children at Albany Medical Center for Christmas.

“I don’t know where to start, there’s so much need,” Rychcik said.

A fundraiser for the Rychcik family had been previously scheduled for Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Saratoga Strike Zone bowling alley in Saratoga Springs.

Rychcik said she has been so touched by the plight of others she’s encountered during her son’s treatment, that she is investigating whether proceeds from the upcoming fundraiser could also go to other families. Certainly, she will urge those who are rallying to her son’s cause to not forget youngsters in similar situations at Albany Medical Center.

Rychcik credits the nurses for helping her through this difficult time, especially now that Nick is going through his chemotherapy treatments. She said she will look to them for guidance.

“They’ve been amazing for sure,” Rychcik said. “I’m going to find out what they do, they must do some kind of toy drive, but I’m personally bringing trays of cookies for the nurses.”

Rychcik describes Nick as a child full of love and joy.

“He’s always the first one there with a hug,” Rychcik said. “Nick loves baseball. He said he’s going to be a major league player some day.”

Rychcik said her faith is the driving factor in both her decision to help other sick kids and her belief that her son will be OK.

“I can’t consume myself with ‘what ifs?’ I have to rely on my faith,” Rychcik said.

Rychcik said she got the idea to donate toys after Nick went through surgery in October.

“I was looking at a girl who was going through chemo and I remember looking at her and thinking, ‘Thank God that’s not us and we won’t be there for the holidays,’ ” Rychcik said.

No one suspected at the time that her son’s tumor was malignant.

“At first they said it was benign and we were going home,” Rychcik said. “I remember thinking, ‘We won’t be there for Thanksgiving, we won’t be there for Christmas, we’re so blessed.’ And now here we are.”

Trying to thank supporters and help others face their own challenges helps balance her anxiety for her son.

“I don’t want to make this about Nick. Yes, he’s sick. But there are so many other kids worse off,” Rychcik said. “I sit there at the hospital and see how sad it is. There are kids that are alone.”

Whatever Rychcik decides to do, she wants her other four kids to be involved.

“I want my kids to shop, wrap presents and give out gifts at the hospital,” Rychcik said. “I have four healthy kids that can help.”

Rychcik’s sister, Deb Tomaso, is supportive of everything her sister is trying to do.

“We want to do for people, like people who have done for us,” said Tomaso. “If we can do one small thing it will be worth it.